The High Life Highland Leadership Programme has reached new heights with the awarding of the first ever platinum hoodies!
Four young people were presented with the new hoodie by Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland, at the Highland Youth Parliament event in Inverness last week (Friday 21st June), with young leaders having to achieve 750 hours of volunteer leadership as well as organising a fundraising event for the charity of their choice.
Archie Webster (15) from Inverness Royal Academy was first to be awarded his platinum hoodie, for his many volunteering efforts with Active Schools and at Inverness Park Run. For his charity event he cycled 83 miles from Inverness to Aviemore and back, with a goal to raise £300 for Mikeysline. He cycled through wind, rain and snow and was rewarded with an amazing fundraising total of £1372.
Raising funds for the Highland Hospice at his former primary school was the challenge by Scot
t MacKay (16) from Culloden Academy. He carried out a variety of volunteering leadership activities with Active Schools and the Highland Hospice to reach his 750 hours. The fundraising event at Smithton Primary School raised over £180.
Meanwhile, Orlagh McIver from Fortrose Academy organised a Health Walk and Talk and sold lucky squares to raise money for Mikeysline and the James Support Group (£400). Her 750 leadership hours were achieved with the support of Black Isle Youth Development staff at Fortrose Academy and included helping at Cromarty Youth Café and intergenerational work in her local community.
The Leadership Programme is open to young people aged 12-25 years – they do not need to be at school – and although underpinned by leadership in sport and youth work, the awards can be utilised by young people volunteering in clubs, libraries, facilities, and other community sectors.
Rachael Hatfield (25) from Ardersier is one of those people. She runs a local Guides Group and hav
ing achieved gold hoodie status in 2019 she has now upgraded to platinum having organised a fundraising, end of term awards night for Guides and Rangers, raising £113.
The High Life Highland Leadership Programme offers a selection of varied learning opportunities using the charity’s own High Life Highland SCQF accredited ‘Choose To Lead’ awards (Level 4 and 5) and other quality training opportunities and courses from Scottish governing bodies for sport, youth work and other trusted partners.
The Leadership Programme Development Officer, Elizabeth McDonald said: “A massive congratulations to our platinum hoodie young leaders who have worked so hard and dedicated a great deal of their own time to helping others. This really marks a milestone moment in the leadership programme.
“We pride ourselves on the quality of the young leaders that we produce, and the experience is of tremendous value to the individual involved and the people they help in schools and the wider community.
“We also have a brilliant team of High Life Highland mentors to support our young leaders – and I would like to thank all of them as we could not deliver this excellent programme without their support.”
There is more information on the Leadership Programme on the High Life Highland website or email [email protected].
Photo credit: With thanks to Rachael Hatfield for providing the images of Orlagh and Scott.
